Chapter 253: Crazy Tower Shite

Chapter 253: Crazy Tower Shite

“I said honestly that all I desire is to climb the tower and grow stronger while protecting those I care about,” Max said, softening his voice and relaxing his stance. “I don’t desire to deal with anything of the kingdom or those who enjoy the games that require daily attention to play.”

Both women smirked, but Max continued.

“Eventually, after the fiftieth floor, I am considering traveling on a great ship and seeing some of the other lands as Dexic has shared stories of what lies across the seas. Perhaps one day long from then I will return and take up my tower climbing, seeing if I can perhaps complete it or maybe I will stay over there.

“Just know the only thing I care about is my party and my Faction. To prove that, I promise to always be grateful to those who support the Golden Axe Faction. As a gesture, I will return a portion of the items we gained from the fights today as well as the remains of those we defeated in the coming week.”

Max turned slowly and gave Niccolo a glare that caused the older elf to take a step back.

“I will not seek any more retribution or actions against the Enlightened Souls Faction provided they no longer attempt to cause problems to members of my Faction. If, however, they do, I will publicly challenge them every month until either there is none left to fight, or they have lost their reputation that none will ever join again.”

Niccolo started to open his mouth but Macy raised hand froze him as if he was encased in ice, stopping the frustrated man.

“That seems like a fair offer. And there is nothing else you desire?”

“Just to be left in peace. You two have been gracious queens, providing me safety when I was weak and allowing me to grow into the warrior who stands before you today. I will always be grateful for that mercy and hope you know I desire no ill will toward you or anyone within your kingdom.”

Macy bit her lip slightly and Molly blinked rapidly a few times as the pair understood exactly what Max had just said.

Other than a grunt that came from Niccolo, no one else made a sound as the two women considered the options before them.

“Very well,” Molly finally replied. Max could see the narrowing of her gaze upon him and the tight muscles of her jaw as she spoke. “We are glad to see you have earned our kingdom some great renown and will ensure that the money owed to you is paid. A token of our well wishes will also be delivered in the coming week. Perhaps one day we may need your help again.”

Max bowed and smiled.

“I am thankful to be a citizen of Peltagow and its two queens.”

***

When the door shut on the carriage, Max saw Everett finally relax.

“Are you ok?”

The older man shook his head and wiped his face with a hand.

“You realize that we might have had to fight our way out of there had things gone differently?!”

Nodding, Max motioned toward the colosseum through the closed door.

“You and I both know that the time to hide is ending, and I need to make sure they don’t see us as a direct threat.”

“See you as a threat,” Everett corrected. “Still, watching Niccolo’s face and hearing him grovel before those two was almost worth my heart stopping a few times. I’m just glad they didn’t force me to talk. I’m not sure what would have happened.”

That thought had already run through Max’s mind and even Tanila didn’t have an answer.

“Regardless, tomorrow we’ll be entering the tower. There is no time to waste and something tells me that place is actually the safest spot for us right now.”

“You’re probably right. What about the loot you and Dexic acquired? What are your actual plans for it?”

Max pulled a bag from storage and held it out.

“You can go through it and then send back what I promised. Anything you find of value, just give our group first choice. After that, you get to do as you see fit.”

Taking the bag and making it vanish, the next question to come wasn’t a surprise.

“And the gold?”

Snorting, Max smirked as he rubbed his chin.

“We need materials for crafting. You saw what that sword did, and I want to try a few more things. Right now I can’t think of much we can really buy with gold. The real question is, are you willing to trade those crystals for materials?”

“These streets are four times wider than they should be. I’m guessing it's because of the planes that come out from the buildings along it.”

He pointed at the door that had opened, revealing an empty storage space that one bike had come from.

“Other than experience and these orange gems, we aren’t getting a single thing worth keeping,” Max continued. “Based on what we could see from the start of this floor, we are probably going to be here for at least a full day.”

“Does that mean we are camping?” Fowl asked.

“Maybe. Dexic told me the thirtieth floors start the longer versions and I think she was right. Based on these buildings and the math I’ve been doing, this floor may be thirty to fifty miles long.”

Both dwarves spat and Max saw Tanila frown.

“We’ll be fine,” Tanila said. “One fight at a time.”

***

Eight hours of steady fighting had taken them further into the tower floor and Max shook his head as he waited for Regeneration to heal the injuries he acquired from the robotic suit that exploded near him.

“Still nothing?”

“No stat or skill gains,” Max quietly informed Fowl. “They aren’t that strong. Mainly it's the explosion and numbers of enemies that come. I know most groups can’t do what we can, which means fighting seven or eight at a time should be difficult, but it’s not.”

“Which means the real question is what will the boss on the thirty-fifth floor be?”

Nodding, Max pointed at a pack of goblins moving down one street.

“Correct. Now tell me you see that one of those goblins is different.”

Fowl raised a hand and peered at the pack Max had pointed out.

“One of them isn’t just in a robot suit, as you call it, but also has an enormous pack on its back.”

“Which means we just found a new enemy.”

Fowl groaned and then sighed.

“Looks like you should go first then.”

***

“Now!”

Max’s fireball, along with Tanila’s and the arrow from Cordellia, all flew at the new goblin they were facing. As their spells and attack hit at the same time, a ground shaking explosion took place.

Flames much larger than the ones they had sent erupted from where their target had been, covering the street and the other goblins nearby.

Screams of pain and suffering came from seventy yards away and for over a minute, the flames never let up until they finally vanished.

“What in the gods was that?” Fowl asked.

“Beats me, but I’m glad we didn’t let it get close,” Cordellia said. “Did you see how long those flames burned and how hot they appeared to be?”

“Okay, new plan. Anytime we see one of those, we kill it first and stay back.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

No one wanted one of those to get close and blow up.

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